Rights group slams arrests of satirical performers critical of military

Human Rights Watch today joined a chorus of voices condemning the government’s arrest over the Thingyan holiday of four performers who took part in a satirical thangyat performance — think a traditional form of slam poetry — critical of the military.

In a statement released today, HRW called on the government to drop the charges.

“Myanmar’s authorities are demonstrating once again their intolerance of criticism, even in satirical form,” said Linda Lakhdhir, HRW Asia legal adviser. “Rather than arresting their critics, the government should listen to what they have to say.”

These folk art performances were banned for more than two decades from 1988 to 2016, during which exiled Burmese communities kept the tradition alive through performances in their diaspora communities.

“Sadly, the civilian government appears to be heading entirely the wrong direction on free expression and media freedom just as the 2020 national election is around the corner. If Suu Kyi and her thin-skinned ministers can’t even withstand traditional thangyat teasing, how in the world do they expect to handle the criticism that comes in a full blown national election campaign,” Robertson asked, adding that the four performers were owed an apology.

This is hardly the first time the NLD government has taken a harsh stance against satire criticizing their perceived shortcomings.